The political fallout comes after
days of protests and clashes between Venezuelans demanding
Maduro's resignation and the country's security forces. Under
Maduro's rule, the country is enduring one of the world's worst
economic crises, which has brought hyperinflation, power cuts,
and food shortages.

Bolivia's left-wing president, Evo Morales, tweeted
on Wednesday night: "Our solidarity with the Venezuelan people
and our brother Nicolás Maduro in these decisive hours in which
the claws of imperialism seek again to mortally wound the
democracy and self-determination of the peoples of South
America."

Guaidó greeting supporters in Caracas on Wednesday. Eleven countries in Latin America said they supported him.

source

Carlos Garcia Rawlins/Reuters

The Mexican government said
it would not take sides, citing "our constitutional principles of
non-intervention, auto-determination, and peaceful solutions to
international conflicts."

Mexican President Andrés Manuel López Obrador said that
supporting Guaidó was a violation of sovereignty, according to
Reuters, appearing to implicitly criticize nations that have
taken that stance.

Uruguay, Guyana, and St. Lucia have also refused to take sides,
according to
Al Jazeera.

caption

US President Donald Trump announced his support for Guaidó on Wednesday night. Maduro expelled all American diplomats out of his country in response.

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Justin Sullivan/Getty Images; Reuters

Guaidó and Maduro's contest for power has also divided countries
outside Latin America.

The US, the European Union, and Canada formally recognized Guaidó
as interim president on Wednesday, while Russia and Turkey
pledged support for Maduro.

caption

Maduro with Russian President Vladimir Putin. Their countries have close military and financial ties.

source

AP Photo/RIA Novosti, Alexei Nikolsky, Presidential Press Service

Multiple Russian officials, including the Russian Federation
Council's information committee chairman, Alexei Pushkov, and MP
Vladimir Dzhabrailov, described Guaidó's declaration as a "coup,"
according to Reuters and
The Guardian.

Russia has long supported Maduro's government with arms and
financial loans.

Maduro called for US diplomats to immediately leave Venezuela
shortly after Trump announced his support for Guaidó.

Washington rejected Maduro's demands, saying it would listen only
to Guaidó's government, according to Reuters.